Summary
This infrared video is assessed to have come from a U.S. military sensor operating in the U.S. Central Command region in 2020. The sensor tracks an area of contrast near center while several others enter and exit the frame and contrast modes are cycled, until the tracked object exits to the right. The nearly five-minute file was uploaded to a classified network in August 2020 and released through the PURSUE declassification.
Detail
This Department of War video was identified by AARO among materials requested by U.S. House of Representatives members in March 2026. AARO assesses the footage likely came from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in 2020, uploaded to a classified network in August 2020. The clip runs about four minutes and 58 seconds.
The sensor tracks an area of contrast near the center of the screen. A second area enters from the lower right but exits as the sensor follows; as contrast modes are cycled, the tracked object intermittently loses and regains distinctiveness against the background. Several areas of contrast enter and exit the frame before the tracked object exits at the right side and the final portion shows no content. AARO notes the description is informational only, and the record was released through the PURSUE declassification.
